Abstract
The effect of conspecific defeat and isolation/grouping on predatory behavior in golden hamsters was examined in two experiments. In the first experiment Ss were defeated by trained fighters once daily for 10 successive days and then tested shortly after for the capture of locusts. Control Ss were exposed to the fighters but experienced no defeat. Results showed that each group captured with comparable latencies. In the second experiment hamsters were either housed in groups or alone from weaning until testing which commenced at approximately 60 days of age. Tests for locust capture were conducted first in a novel environment and then in the home cage. Results showed that isolated and grouped Ss captured with comparable latencies; however, latencies decreased significantly with repeated testing. The results were briefly compared with similar findings for the rat. It was argued that the differential effects of the treatments administered might have been due to methodological artifacts or to variables related to the social organization characteristic of each species.
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